"Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... "
In Loving Memory of Mel Gibson, Quarter Horse, 15.2, 1984-2006 (22 years)
Owned, Loved, and Greatly Missed by Katie Bishop.
How I met him: At the age of 8 I started to take riding lessons at Cornerstone Equestrian Center in Belmont, NH. I had walked by his stall several times, but didn't start riding him until I was 10. At the age of 12 I found out that he was for sale and of course had to have him (we were in the market for a horse.)
What life was like with him: At home , dad built me an arena and I did a lot of English/jumping. A year later we met my neighbor, Beth and her horse, Sam. We went on a lot of trail rides and Mel and Sam grew inseparable. Eventually, Sam moved in to make both of the boys happy. We continued with our trail riding, exploring new trails and swimming in the pond.
The day he died: Mel died on Friday, February 3rd, 2006. When I got home from school that day I fed the horses hay and Mel seemed fine. at 5pm I gave them their grain, and again he seemed fine. I was in the house talking to my sister, Jen. We heard noises coming from the barn, but it sounded like the boys were just rough-housing, so I didn't pay much attention to it. But a little before 6pm, I still heard the banging, so I decided to go check on them. When I walked into the barn I saw Mel lying on the ground. I screamed his name telling him to get up. I tried helping him up, but he was in a way that was hard for him to get up, (he was sort of wedged between the wall and the floor.) I tried calling my mom, dad, and Beth but no one answered. Finally, mom and dad pulled into the driveway, and I was screaming for then to come in the barn. After about 5 minutes he managed to get up. When he got up, he swayed a little and looked like he was going to fall again so I kept him walking in the driveway. My mom called the vet, but she was out on another emergency. We were told to give Mel some medicine that will help stop colic. After a few times around the driveway he collapsed. We got him up, but he kept collapsing. He would walk for a little bit and start to look better, but then his legs would buckle. The vet was on her way by then. When she got there, Mel was already lying down. As she checked his intestines I saw her shaking her head. Mom came over to me and hugged me. I just stood there crying. I knelt down by him, telling him I loved him while the vet explained to me what to expect. I said my last goodbye and he was gone. I gave him a kiss and went to my room. Later that night, Beth came by and we talked until midnight. I didn't get much, if any, sleep that night. And when I woke up the next morning, I didn't want to get out of bed. I didn't want to look out the window and not see him. I didn't want to believe he was gone. I was in a daze the whole weekend. I still can't believe he is gone. No horse will EVER replace him.
